Apply Online for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)

To be eligible to apply for a PGWP, you must have:

• Completed a program of study at least 8 months in length, that led to a degree, diploma or certificate
   
• Maintained full-time student status (at least 3 courses or 9 credits) during each regularly scheduled semesters (except in your final semester)
   
• A valid passport 
  • IRCC will only issue a PGWP that is valid until your passport expires, so make sure your passport is valid for the entire length of time of your PGWP validity to ensure you get the full length you were eligible for. 
  • *If your passport will expire before the validity period of the PGWP and you didn't get the full length you were eligible for, you may be eligible to apply for an “extension” with your new passport.
     
• A valid study permit at some point within 180 days post-completion. IRPR Section 222 (1) states; "a study permit becomes invalid either 90 days after the permit holder completes their studies OR on the day the permit expires, whichever comes first.") This means that if you complete your study program in April 2023 but your permit expires in December 2023, your permit will become invalid in July 2023 because the 90 day period comes before the actual written expiry date on your permit.)
   
• Not previously received a PGWP
   
• Be over the age of 18 at the time of application

In addition to the requirements listed above, applicants must also:

A) Apply within 90 days after final grades are posted (undergraduate students) or after receiving decanal approval (graduate students) and have a valid study permit at the time of application  OR

B) Apply within 180 days after final grades are posted (undergraduate students) or after receiving decanal approval (graduate students) and have valid status at the time of their application (i.e. applied to extend their temporary resident status before the expiry of the study permit) or have applied from outside Canada.

Your International Student Advisors strongly recommend applying for the PGWP using option (A) to eliminate potential for losing a work opportunity. If you are unsure how to proceed, contact your advisors.

Apply Online from inside Canada: Applicants who are inside Canada should submit an online PGWP application to IRCC.  

Outside of Canada: If you have returned home for personal or other reasons, you may certainly submit either an online application or paper application to a Visa Application Centre (VAC). When completing the questionnaire in your IRCC account, you will simply indicate your current country of residence to trigger the correct application form (IMM 1295). All other necessary documents for the PGWP application still apply for the outside Canada option. If you are submitting your PGWP application from outside Canada, we recommend that you consult with an International Student Advisor before proceeding with this option and/or submitting the application.

All recent program completers will require the following documents for the PGWP application:

1) Letter of Completion

• This letter is provided to you by the International Centre. When final grades are posted on the Bridge (undergraduate students) or decanal approval is received (graduate students), complete the completion letter request form on our website: Request for PGWP Completion Letter

2) Official Transcripts with Final Grades 

• Official transcripts can be requested by visiting the Registrar’s Office (SU140) or via the Bridge and can be downloaded from MyCreds. If you have an outstanding balance and a Cash Hold on your account, please contact your International Student Advisors as soon as possible.
• Note: When using your transcripts for the online application, include the back page “Information to Assist in Evaluating Transcripts.”

3) A scan or clear photos of your passport

• This should include the biodata page, as well as any other pages with markings, stamps or visas. 
• If you have recently received a new passport, include both your new passport (first) and your old passport, both clearly labelled.
• Note: All pages/photos will need to be compiled and saved as one PDF document. 

4) Digital photo

• Frame size must be at least 35mm X 45mm. This photo must show full front view of head, face in the middle and include the top of the shoulders against a white backdrop.
• Note: This photo does not need to be an official passport photo.

5) Medical exam (if required)

• This is required if you will be working in certain jobs
• If a medical exam is required, you must make an appointment for the medical exam with an IRCC Panel Physician.

6) IMM 5710e - Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay, or Remain in Canada as a Worker

• The application form can be downloaded from your document checklist once you have followed the steps to log in to your IRCC online account. 
• ​Note:  Use the IMM5580 Instruction Guide for assistance completing the form and review the "2. Completing the application form" below for some helpful tips. 

Optional Documents:

• Client Information
  • Use this space to upload a letter of explanation if your situation is unusual
  • You can also use this space to upload additional information/documentation to help the processing officer understand your application better. 
     
• Schedule 1: Application for Temporary Residence (IMM5257b)
  • This document is required with your application only if you have answered "Yes" to any of the Background Information questions 3 through 6 on the IMM5710 form.
  • Please contact the International Student Advisor for guidance.

Work eligibility before applying

• As an International Student, you may be eligible to work during your program at uLethbridge as long as you meet the requirements listed below:
  • Remaining a full-time student during each regularly scheduled academic semester (at least 9 credits per semester)
  • Having a valid study permit at all times
  • Not exceeding 20 hours per week of off-campus work during the Fall and Spring semesters
  • Note: In the final semester, students may have part-time student status and still maintain their ability to work on and off-campus during their final term and still maintain their eligibility for the PGWP

Work eligibility after applying

• To be eligible to work after a PGWP application, the following must also be true:
  • At the time of application, the student must have a valid study permit and apply within 90 days of program completion
  • Work and study regulations were followed (as listed above)
  • * Undergraduate students must stop working once your Program Completion Letter is issued from the International Office.
  • * Graduate students must stop working once they receive decanal approval from School of Graduate Studies.

Create an online account through IRCC if you haven't already or if you account has expired . We recommend creating a GCKey. If you haven't already created an account, click the "Register" button at the bottom of the page. Create a username, password, and security questions.

• Once logged in to your account, under the “Start an application” heading near the bottom of the page, click “Apply to come to Canada”
   
• Under “I do not have a Personal Reference Code”, click “Visitor, study and/or work permit”
   
• Complete the questionnaire. Make sure you indicate your country of residence is "Canada". If completed correctly, the questionnaire should indicate that you are eligible to apply for a PGWP (in Canada). Select that option and click “Continue” until you arrive at your document checklist.
   
  • Note: If you are applying for the PGWP from outside Canada, make sure you indicate your country of residence is the country you are applying from. After completing the questionnaire it should indicate that you are eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit (outside Canada). Select that option and click "Continue" until you arrive at your document checklist. 

In the document checklist, click on “Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM5710)” to download the form. 

• If when trying to download the form you see a "Please Wait..." message on a white page, click the download button in your browser and save the form to your computer as PDF document. If you do not have Adobe Reader, follow the instructions on the "Please Wait..." page to download it. Use Adobe Reader to open the downloaded application form from the saved location.

Use the Instruction Guide 5580 to help you complete the IMM5710 application form. 

Here are some important tips for completing the application:

• UCI stands for “Unique Client Identifier” and is also known as Client ID. It is an eight or ten-digit number found on your study permit. On the application form, enter your UCI number without spaces or dashes. 
   
• PGWP applicants should check the box "Apply for a work permit for the first time or with a new employer".
   
• Personal details:  
  • Select “Student” as your current status in Canada.
  • Enter the “from” date as your study permit issue date and enter the “to” date as your study permit expiry date. You will find both dates on your study permit. 
     
• Language: A language test from a designated testing agency is not required for this application.
   
• National Identification Card: Has your country of citizenship issued you an identification card? Select Yes or No. 
  Note: A national ID is not the same as your passport or driver's licence. 
   
• Coming into Canada:
  • #1: Enter the date of your first entry into Canada and the port of entry you entered through.
     
  • #3: Have you left Canada for a visit home or taken a trip elsewhere while you were studying? Enter the date of your most recent entry into Canada and the port of entry you entered through.
    Note: You only need to answer #3 if your most recent entry to Canada is different than your original entry.
     
  • #4: The document number of your study permit beings with “F” and typically can be found on the upper right-hand corner of your study permit.
     
• Details of intended work in Canada: Select "Post-Graduation Work Permit" from the drop down menu.
  • Note: For PGWP applicants, no information is required for questions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. 
     
• Education: Complete this section by including details of your recently completed post-secondary program at uLethbridge. 
   
• Employment: For PGWP applicants, a full 10-year employment history is not required. **However, information in #1 "Current Activity/Occupation" is required in order to validate the form.**  
  • Enter “Student” as your current activity, the University of Lethbridge’s as your employer, and include details of when you started and stopped studying in this section.
     
• Signature: an electronic signature will occur prior to payment so no physical signature is necessary for IMM 5710. DO NOT print and scan this form.
   
• Validate & Upload: When you have completed the application form, click the blue “Validate” button at the end of the form. If you have made mistakes or missed any fields, these sections will be highlighted red and you will need to complete these areas prior to attempting to validate again. Once you have successfully validated, a page of black bar codes will be generated as the final page of the document. Save the validated form on your computer and then upload this form in the IRCC account.

You will now need to upload your supporting documents into their corresponding section of your document checklist.

• Letter of Completion
  • This letter is provided to you by the International Centre. When final grades are posted on the Bridge (undergraduate students) or decanal approval is received (graduate students), complete the completion letter request form on our website: http://bit.ly/PGWPletter
     
• Official Transcripts with Final Grades
  • Transcripts can be requested by visiting the Registrar’s Office (SU140) or via the Bridge. If you have an outstanding balance and a Cash Hold on your account, please contact your International Student Advisors as soon as possible.
     
• Scanned copy of passport 
  • Scan all pages of the valid passport that have a stamp, visa and the biographical page. Consolidate all images into one PDF file.
     
• Digital Photo
  • ​Frame size must be at least 35mm X 45mm. This photo does not need to be an official passport photo but must show full front view of head, face in the middle and include the top of the shoulders against a white backdrop.
     
• Medical Exam (not necessary for all applicants): Click here to see if you will be required to submit a medical exam.

After uploading the completed application form(s) and all supporting documents, you will click “Continue” at the bottom of the page. On the next page you will provide your electronic signature by typing in your full name as it appears on your passport. Once you’ve signed, you will be taken to the payment page.  

• The fee for the PGWP is $155 CAD as well as an additional $100 Open Work Permit Holder fee for a total of $255 CAD. Payment will be made by credit card.
   
• Take screenshots of any confirmation numbers regarding payment and ensure you have a screenshot of the “Acknowledgement of receipt” page after the application is submitted. If you need to leave the application and return at any time, your application will be saved in your GCKey account for 60 days from the date that you first started the application. 
   
• You will be able to follow the processing of your application via your GCKey account.  If IRCC requests any additional documents for your application, you will upload and submit them via your online GCKey account. You must provide any documents requested by the deadline given by IRCC, or your application will be refused. If your email has a strong junk mail filter, consider logging in to your GCKey account at least once a week to check for messages.

If your Post-Graduation Work Permit application is approved, IRCC will notify you with a message in your GCKey account. They will mail your physical work permit to the mailing address you entered on your IMM5710. 

• Check PGWP processing times: Select "Temporary residence"  > Work permit extension
   
• If your application was made prior to the expiry of your study permit (either 90 days post program completion or before the expiration date), you may begin to work full-time if you meet all work eligibility requirements listed above.
   
• Once you receive your PGWP, you should:
  • Extend your Alberta Health Care at a registry office 
  • Extend your Social Insurance Number at a Service Canada location or online.
  • Apply for a new Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) if necessary

Remember that your International Student Advisors are here to support you through this process of applying for the PGWP and for your eventual TRV application. Even if you have completed your program and graduated, we are still available to support these applications.